Pavano stretched out in Yankees' loss

New York starter lasts six innings against Twins

By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

TWINS 4, YANKEES 3at Fort Myers, Fla.Tuesday, March 27

Twins at the plate: Luis Castillo drove in two runs on a single to center field in the second inning. With Castillo's 1-for-3 day Tuesday, the second baseman is hitting .438 for the spring. Jeff Cirillo also tallied two hits on the day.

Yankees at the plate: Bobby Abreu belted his second home run of the spring in the first inning as he took Twins starter Boof Bonser deep to right field. Josh Phelps added another long ball to lead off the second. Phelps then drove in the go-ahead run with a single in eighth.

Twins on the mound: Bonser delivered another strong performance in his quest to earn the No. 2 spot in the Twins rotation. The right-hander pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. Dennys Reyes pitched one scoreless inning, allowing just one hit. Right-hander Pat Neshek gave up one run on two hits, walking one and striking out three in one inning.

Yankees on the mound: Carl Pavano, the expected Opening Day starter for the Yankees, pitched six innings and allowed two runs on six hits while walking one. Colter Bean pitched one inning, walking two batters and striking out one.

Grapefruit League records: Twins 11-16-1; Yankees 14-10

Up next: The Twins will host the Red Sox in a 6:05 p.m. CT contest on Wednesday. The game will feature yet another pitching duel this spring between Twins ace Johan Santana and Boston's top hurler, Curt Schilling.

The Yankees will return to Tampa to host the Astros in a 7:15 p.m. ET game. Right-hander Darrell Rasner will get the start for New York as he faces Astros right-hander Brian Moehler.

Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.